Zorbas: Breast cancer deaths down

(Monday 26 October 2009)

The chief executive of the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre, Dr Helen Zorbas, says that although there are higher rates of breast cancer detection in Australia, there are fewer deaths.

Dr Zorbas says Australia is seeing a rise in breast cancer cases because of the ageing and growing population, however early detection and improved treatment is leading to fewer deaths.

"Breast cancer primarily is a disease of older women, with three out of every four cases diagnosed being in women 50 years or older. As we have a growing and ageing population, we anticipate seeing more and more women diagnosed," she said.

"(But) we're seeing the death rate from breast cancer fall by 27 per cent over the past 12 years and this is really very good news for women diagnosed today," she said.

(read the full story at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/26/2723662.htm?section=australia)

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